Roger Goodell Fines Jets $250,000 for Being Mean to Brett Favre

As the reports continue to roll in surrounding the New York Jets and their disappointment with Brett Favre, Roger Goodell has announced that he intends to fine the Jets $250,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and behavior unbecoming of professional athletes.

Since the end of the Jets' disastrous second-half of the 2008 season, multiple players have spoken to the media—outright and anonymously—offering their criticism of the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

AFC-leading running back, and first-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas Jones was the first to openly criticize Favre for his costly turnovers. When his interview on Hot 97 went viral across the Internet, Jones became the center of a media frenzy that caught Roger Goodell's attention.

"I realize I can't fine [Jones] alone as multiple reports have circulated regarding multiple players speaking under the condition of anonymity...so the entire organization must pay," said Goodell on a conference call with reporters early Friday morning.

"It's really unfair," continued Goodell. "For Jones to say something like that about [Brett Favre] shows he's not practicing what he wished to preach...I don't know how New York is going to pay the fine, but I hope they take the bulk of it from Jones' salary."

A person familiar with the Jets' thinking said New York would appeal the decision, as not everyone is anti-Favre in 2009.

"Woody Johnson loves Brett, and wants him back in New York," said the source. In fact, the source claims the majority of the Jets' players would "love to have Favre back," as long as he "participates in offseason activities" with the team.

Speaking with Kerry Rhodes, the Jets' star safety said no one hates Favre and would welcome him back next season. "We just want him to be one of the guys. When we go bowling, we want Brett to come!" said Rhodes.

"The interceptions suck, but his fun-loving attitude is so infectious," exclaimed Rhodes. "It's an attitude this whole team adopted. Like on defense when we let everyone throw for 300 yards on us, we all felt like 'That's okay, because we're having fun.'"

Wide receiver Laveranues Coles told reporters he has no problems with Favre as long as he "stops calling [him] Greg" during practice.

"I never really liked [Eric] Mangini anyway, so I thank Favre for finding a way to get him out of here," confessed Coles. "But he's going to need to re-work that contract. It's about time for me to ask for a new one, and he's taking up $12 million himself."

Brett Favre has been unavailable for comment as he contemplates deeply on what his future will be in the NFL.

Long-time Favre fans are hoping he returns to New York and silences all of the skeptics, while long-time Jets fans are hoping his retirement will help New York usher in a new era effectively.

Angel Navedo covers the New York Jets for Examiner.com. His work can also be found on NYJetsFan.com, where he is the Head Writer, and on MyGridironSpace.com—a premier social networking site built exclusively for NFL fans.

He is also a Senior Writer at Bleacher Report, where he is one of the New York Jets Community Leaders.

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